Children and Violence

Not all children enjoy the "carefree" days of childhood. Unfortunately, when things start to go wrong, people often despair of being able to repair the damage.

This is a time of high concern about violent behavior by young people. As a nation, we are in a period of reflection as to what can be done to stem this tide. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., both adults and children are also struggling with the emotional impact of such large-scale damage and losses of life. Helping young people avoid or overcome emotional problems in the wake of violence or disaster is one of the most important challenges a parent, teacher, or mental health professional can face. Moreover, children often face violence in their own homes.

The NIMH conducts research looking at violence in young people, as well as the effects of violence on young people, and has produced a number of publications, such as:

• Child and Adolescent Violence Research at NIMH
• Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters
• Teens: The Company They Keep
• Youth in a Difficult World

Related Information

• Youth Violence: A Report from the Surgeon General
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Information About Coping With Traumatic Events
• Information from NIH's MedlinePlus on:
• Teen Violence
• Child Abuse
• The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
  A user-friendly, single point of access to federal information on youth violence prevention and suicide, including publications, research, and statistics.
• Some mental illnesses also carry an increased risk for suicide.